Parental Alienation

January 26th, 2018

CAFCASS have this week announced that they will be trialling a “ground-breaking” new process in response to the many cases where parental alienation is a real issue.

Parental alienation occurs in a significant number of cases and can be a concern for many parents. Where two parents have separated, often relations between them can be strained and trust can be lost. This can result in one parent having very negative feelings towards the other and/or towards them spending time with their children. Difficulties arise when those feelings are intrinsically linked to those of the children. The “target parent” is often left feeling as though their ex-partner is turning their children against them.

Courts in North America already widely recognise this as a very real issue, as it can be damaging for the children. The courts in England and Wales are now also progressively starting to recognise this as a real problem.

In response, CAFCASS are trailing a new process. They have developed a 12 week programme called “Positive Parenting” and it is designed to help the abusive parent recognise their behaviour and realise the impact it could be having on the children. If this is not successful to break the pattern of behaviour, then psychiatrists, psychologists and/or mental health experts will be brought in to assist.

Ultimately, if this is not successful then in extreme cases the children will cease having contact with that parent. CAFCASS’ priority is still to preserve the relationship with both parents, and so this is a last resort.

From Spring 2018 all CAFCASS caseworkers will be given a new set of guidelines called the “High Conflict Pathway”. This will itemise the steps social workers must take when dealing with cases involving parental alienation. The guidelines will set out exactly when children should be removed from the parent alienating the other. As practitioners we have come across many cases where parental alienation appears to be a real issue. It is certainly a positive move in the right direction that this is now becoming more recognised. Have you ever felt that you were being alienated by your ex-partner? If you want to know where you stand in relation to parental alienation or child arrangements generally, please do give one of our solicitors a call on 01908 262680 who will be able to assist you.

Note– Who are CAFCASS? They are known as the Children and Family Court Advisory Support Service. Their role is to make sure the children’s voices are heard and decision are made that are in their best interests. They are independent to the courts, social services and other agencies. For more information visit their website athttps://www.cafcass.gov.uk/.

Having obtained her A Levels from the Royal Latin School in Buckingham, Rebecca Stewart went on to obtain a Legal Secretary Diploma through Pitmans Training and immediately following qualification secured a role at Hawkins Family Law. Following that she discovered her true ambition lay in becoming a Legal Executive specialising in Family Law.

In 2012 Rebecca enrolled at Cilex Law School and by 2015 had completed all her level 3 exams, achieving distinctions in 3 of these modules, and is now an Associate Member of Cilex. Rebecca is now working towards her level 6 qualifications and is now able to act as a trainee Legal Executive under the supervision of the Directors of Hawkins Family Law.

Talk To One Of Our Legal Experts

01908 262680

Talk To One Of Our Legal Experts

01908 262680

2019 Family: Beds, Bucks, Herts and Middx – South East

Hawkins Family Law fields 'a very professional team that delivers a high-class service and has strength-in-depth from senior to junior level'. Managing director and team head Jo Hawkins provides 'clear and accurate advice and moral support through often testing times for her clients; she focuses on deriving the best long-term outcome for her client and other parties'. The practice has particular strength financial matters, including divorce and ToLATA proceedings. Other key figures include Loraine Davenport, who has strong collaborative law expertise and handles complex children cases and high-net-worth ancillary relief matters; Annabel Hayward, who focuses on complex financial provision and co-habitation matters; and Stacey St Clair.

2019 Family/Matrimonial – Milton Keynes and surrounds

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